Rattler’s celebrates 25th anniversary

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Rattler’s Bar B Que of Santa Clarita is holding a party and the public is invited to turn out as the restaurant begins a campaign to support veterans, and veteran-homes through Habitat for Humanity.

The month-long fundraising campaign kicks off this Saturday, Nov. 9 at the groundbreaking site of an 87-home “Habitat Enriched Neighborhood” for veterans at Centre Pointe Pkwy., near Bowman High School.

While the celebration is free to all active and veteran military members and their families, it is also open to the public for $20 for adults and $15 for children- with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity and the USO. The restaurant expects to feed over 1,000 people.

“We thought, what better way to give back than to support those who’ve fought for our community,” said Justin Lopez, Rattler’s spokesperson.

The restaurant was approached by Carl Goldman who on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity and owner of local radio station KHTS. “Carl was inquiring about a small sponsorship, but we knew instantly that we had a much bigger plan of feeding the entire community,” Lopez said. “It seems only fitting considering the groundbreaking for the new Habitat community is taking place in close proximity to Rattler’s.”

Rattler’s will be bringing out mesquite grills to cook some of the items that Rattler’s is known for including mesquite barbeque chicken breast, barbeque chopped salad, twice baked mashed potatoes, and garlic rolls.

While Rattler’s has long been one of Santa Clarita’s staple restaurants, it has been at their new location on Golden Valley Road for a little over five years.

Prior to that, Rattler’s spent twenty years at its old site on Camp Plenty and Soledad Canyon roads. Lopez credits the longevity of the business to staying relevant with the growth of the community.

“We started in 1988, and the transition to this location was an obstacle because we had to overcome specific obstacles with roads not being fully opened, and with guests coming to the old location for many years. They had to find Rattler’s again,” said Lopez. “It’s been a constant introduction and re-introduction to the community.”

Lopez attributed the restaurant’s move to a desire to redesign the restaurant with a new image. “The old place had a nice feel. It was a little more rustic, a little more southwestern.”

Now, he said “It’s a little more industrial, very much contemporary, and it has a bit more of an eclectic vibe thrown into the mix.”

As Rattler’s celebrates it 25-year anniversary the restaurant will surprise guests with free gift cards and comped meals every day in November.

What’s more, every Monday of November, 10 percent of the daily sales will go towards Habitat for Humanity and as a special surprise, 25 veteran families will be chosen to receive a free meal every month for all of 2014.

Rattler's is owned by the same family that owns and operates Stonefire Grill restaurants.